The VTC Innovation Fund is managed by Middleland Capital and supported by a top-tier advisory board with deep industry experience. The Fund’s management team and advisory board apply a proprietary mix of deal execution, scientific, engineering, tech, and operational experience as well as a robust syndicate network and Virginia-based and national connections to work with superior management teams to drive growth and value creation.
About Middleland Capital – Middleland Capital is a private investment firm focused on global technology opportunities in the food and agriculture sector. Leveraging a unique breadth of geographic and industry experience, the firm seeks partnerships with exceptional management teams to commercialize innovative technologies, accelerate growth, and build long-term value around the world
Deal Team and Fund Management
James Ramey, JD – Managing Director & Fund Manager
James has been a VTC Ventures team member since inception. James’ responsibilities include deal sourcing, due diligence, deal and closing document review and negotiation, portfolio monitoring, and other day to day operations.
Before joining VTC Ventures and helping launch the VTC Seed Fund, James was a Vice President at Tyton Partners, a leading M&A advisory firm in the education and ed-tech sectors. Notably, while at Tyton, James led the deal team in the sale of WebAssign, a provider of digital learning solutions in higher education to Cengage Learning, an education and technology Company.
Prior to Tyton Partners, James was a Senior Associate at Invest Nebraska Corporation, a sector-agnostic venture capital & development firm specializing in equity and debt financings within the lower middle-market. While at Invest Nebraska Corporation, James actively led and/or supported a significant number of transactions through sourcing, financial analysis, valuation, due diligence, deal structuring & negotiation, closing, and monitoring.
Prior to Invest Nebraska Corporation, James was an Associate Attorney at Knudsen, Berkheimer, Richardson & Endacott, LLP where he practiced in a wide range of legal fields including transactional law, bankruptcy, estate planning, creditor rights, landlord/tenant, real estate, corporate law and civil litigation.
James received his Juris Doctorate with distinction from the University of Nebraska College of Law and is a member of the Nebraska and Virginia state bar associations.
Kody Cobb – Associate
Kody has been a VTC Ventures team member since 2018. Kody’s responsibilities include conducting investment due-diligence, carrying out primary research on industry trends, supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem on behalf of the Fund, and identifying new investment opportunities.
Before joining VTC Ventures, Kody was a Business and Delivery Analyst at Accenture Federal Services supporting supply chain logistics operations for the United States.
Prior to joining Accenture, Kody participated in the VTC Innovation Fund Job Shadow Program where he worked directly with the Principal and Fund Manager in support of late seed and growth stage venture investments while expanding his key venture capital skill sets.
Kody holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech where he graduated Cum Laude. While attending Virginia Tech, Kody was a member of the Virginia Tech Student Endowment for Educational Development where he was an investment strategist for a $6M equity long portfolio. The Endowment Fund is a highly competitive student-led organization which makes buy and sell recommendations based on long term economic forecasts supported by discounted cash flow analysis and other three statement model projections.
Brian Mixer – Investment Director at Middleland Capital
Brian Mixer is an investment director at Middleland Capital. Brian works with technology companies in the food, agriculture and sustainability sectors. He led Middleland’s investments in and holds the board or observer seats in Aerofarms, Arable Labs, Agrivida, Aquaspy, Conservis, Groundwork BioAg, Rootility and Shenandoah Growers.
Prior to joining Middleland in 2010, Brian worked in investment banking and held senior positions in multiple US political campaigns. Brian holds a BA in economics from Bucknell University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He has an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
Scott Horner – Senior Advisor & Investment Committee Member
Scott is an Investment Director at Middleland Capital where he is responsible for portfolio management and evaluating investment opportunities. Scott led Middleland’s investments in and holds board or observer seats in ZeaKal, Advanced Animal Diagnostics, Virgin Plants, Mycotechnology, Benson Hill Biosystems, Blue Prairie Brands, and Plant Response Biotech.
Prior to joining Middleland in 2013, Scott was a Managing Director at Third Security, LLC, where he was responsible for managing investments in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. He served on the Board of Directors of Synchrony Inc. (acquired by Dresser-Rand Corp.) and took on interim operating roles within several portfolio companies, including President and CEO at Pinnacle Pharmaceuticals, VP of Chemistry at Intrexon Corporation (NYSE:XON) and VP of Business Development at Intrexon Corporation. Scott received his Ph.D. in Bioorganic Chemistry and an M.S. in Biophysics from the University of Rochester, and a B.S. in Biochemistry from the State University of New York at Albany.